Gauge for wire-winding machines



March 7, 1950 H. E- SWKRTO UT GAUGE FOR WIRE WINDING MACHINES Filed April 18, 19 16- 9 Sheets-Sheet 1 l N VEN TOR. U-IAJQQLD a. SWAQ'TOU'T BY V %1/. MyMMVlWQ H T TORNEKS' March 7, 1950 H. E. SWARTOUT 2,499,426

GAUGE'FOR WIRE wINDiNc MACHINES Filed April 18, 1946 9 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN V EN TOR. HAROLD E. 5WARTOUT H TTORNEYS.

March 7, 1950 H. WARTOUT GAUGE FOR WIRE WINDING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 18, 1946 v v INVENTOR. HAROLD L. swzmTouT March 7, 1950 SWARTQUT 2,499,426

GAUGE FOR WIRE WINDING MACHINES Filed April 18, 194 9 Sheets-Sheet 4 PIQ-4 JNVENTOR. HAROLD E. SWARTOUT XAKZZMMMM HTTORNE'KS.

March 7, 1950- H. E. SWARTOUT 2,499,425

GAUGE FOR WIRE WINDING MACHINES Filed April 18 1946 '9 Sheets-Sheet e INVENTOR. HAROLD \L. SWAR'IOUT HTToRNm March 7, 195% H. E. SWARTQUT GAUGE FOR WIRE WINDING MACHINES 9 Sheets-Sheet '7 Fil$d April 18, 1946 I N V EN TOR. HAROLD E. $WARTOUT W5 fJ/WM HTTORNEYrfi; w

March 7, 1950 H. E. SWARTQUT 2,499,426

GAUGE FOR WIRE WINDING MAcHiNEs Filed April 18, 19,46 9 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN V EN TOR.

I- IAROLD L. $WARTOUT v HTTORNEY5 Patented Mar. 7, 1950 U N [TED STATES PATENT OFFICE GAUGE FOR- WIRE-WINDING MACHINES Harold Swartout, Davenport, Iowa. ApplicationApril'm,.1946, SerialNo. 662394 (Granted under-the: act of March 3, 1883, as. amended Apr-130', 192813700. G. 757) :,Claims;

The invention describedherein' may be manufactured and usedby or for'the Government for. governmental p rposes; without thepaymentt'o me of any royalty thereon. This invention relates'to a machine for winding wire or the like and in itsbroaderaspects pera tains to improvements in a machine forhandling is to'pr'ovide" means for measuring quantities of embodiment of the invention, aswillibe' hereinafter moreiully described'and illustrated, finds its. greatest usefulness in connection"v with the winding of wire from large spools or the like onto smaller reels. In. many instances. wire is, furnishedin large quantities in. loose' coils or" is wrapped or coiled around spools'in such a mannerthat it is not readily available for use and must necessarily be unwound in definite quari tities so that it may be more easily handled in particular instances. According to the present invention wire or thelike may be transferred from the coil, .spool or other formin which. it is furnished'to a. smaller.v reel and. at the same time. the quantity of wire or the like wound. onthe smaller reel may be measured. by suitable mechanism forming part of the. generalconstruction provided by the present invention.

It is an. important object of' the invention'to provide a machine involving unit arrangement of parts so that certain. of the parts. may be removed from assembled relationship. and. used independently of the. other parts withoutlre'quiring any variation in. the. structure. or mode. of operation thereof.

Another important object of the invention is to provide means for supporting a coil or spool oi. wire or thelike in its original forman'dto providemeans for transferring the wireto a smaller spool orreel and toincorporate in the transferring mechanism means responsive to variations in tension of the wire between the source. spool and theend spool or reelior controlling the speedat-which the wire or the like is unwound from the source. spool; a. subsidiary obiectis to include'in the speed-regulating means a control member by whichsuchmeans-may-be manually controlled.

Still another important" object of the invention wire orthe like transferred from the source spool to the end'spool'and to include-in such measuring means'm'echa'nism providing for adjustment of such means for'the'handling of.material ofdifferent sizes;

The invention.hasforanotherobject the provision of"meansiforsupporting a reel-0r the like on which the wire or other material may be w'ound'and to-include in such means level-winding mechanism for winding the transferred wire or other'material uniformly on the'reel: another object is to provide means whereby the levelwinding mechanism may be adjusted to ac-com modate different sizes of wire or dislike.

Another object of the invention is to provide improved driving meansfor the reel mechanism and'to adapt said driving means for the driving of'reels of different types and" sizes.

The foregoing .and other important objects and features of'the invention will. appear more clearly in. the. following detailed description. of a preferred embodiment of the invention as illustrated in. the accompanying sheets of drawings in'which:

Fig; 1 is av perspective view of". a machine constructed according to the principles of the invention;

Figs. 2 and 3 are respectively side and plan views of the. same machine; there being illustrated inthese figures a difierent type of reel on whichwire. orthe like may be wound;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged endview of the level+ winding mechanism showing the use of such mechanismwith the reel illustrated in Fig. 1;

Fig 5' is a view similar to Fig. 4 but showing the use oflthmlevel-winding mechanism in conjunction-with thereel illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3 and illustrating. further the adjustability of the guidemeans;

Fig 6 15 m enlarged perspective View ofthe measuring. mechanism;

I Fig; 7-is' a crosssectionalview taken on the line '|--1: of Fig. 6' and. showing, the details of 45, construction of the. measuring mechanism;

Fig. 8. is an enlarged fragmentary perspective View showing.. thev speed-regulating vmeans;

Fig. .9. is an:enl'arged fragmentary cross. sec-: tional. view illustrating furtherv details of the structure. shown in Fig. 8;

Fig. 10 is a side view of a portion of the level.- winding mechanism and the reel-supporting structure illustrating the: adjustability of the level-winding; mechanism and of the driving meansfo'r thereel, the adjustability of the-level-l Fig. 14 is a perspective view illustrating the use of one unit of the machine in an instance where cable or the like is desired tobe-manuallyg wound on a large reel or spool. V I

The particular machine chosen for the purposes of illustration includes a base frame pref-- erably constructed of a plurality of angle bars or other suitable elements and having at one end thereof transverse supporting structure preferably formed by a transverse plate 2|. shown in Figs. 2 and 9, the plate 2| is provided at its central portion with antifriction bearings 22 and 23 which journal the vertical hub portion 24 of a coil-carrying member or disk 25. This member includes a plurality of radially extending channels 26 and a plurality of upright guide members 21. The members 271 are arranged to provide a skeleton-spindle-to receive a top plate 28. The disposition'of the upright guide members 21 and the radially extending channels 26 is such as to constitute carrying means adapted to receive wire or other material that may have been furnished originally merely in loosely coiled form and not wound .upon a spool. In operation the top plate 28 serves to prevent the loosely coiled wire from .overrunning or being thrown off of the guidemembers 21.

As best shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the transverse supporting plate 2| .is bounded along its transverse inner edge by a transverse supporting member 29 which parallels a second transverse supporting member 30 disposed near the other end of the base frame 20. A second pair of transverse members 3l cross-connects the longitudinal side members of the frame 20 and serves to support additional structure of the machine, as will be hereinafter set forth. The transverse members 29 and 30 serve to support an intermediate or secondary frame, indicated generally at 32, which comprises a plurality of upright frame members 33, connected rigidly at their upper ends to a horizontal, rectangular frame 34. These membersare arranged to provide a rigid box-like framework on the frame 28.

The secondary frame 32 serves as means for supporting an upper unit designated generally by the numeral 35. This unit is likewise preferably constructed. of anglebars and othersuitable membersandincludes four corner posts 38 connected at their upper ends to a pair of transversely spaced, longitudinally running side frame members 31 across which isconnected a horizontal supporting plate 38. The lower portion of the unit is provided with a pair of longitudinally running side frame members 39 preferably in'the form of steel bars havingtheir upper edges provided with means .for supporting a horizontal lower supporting plate 40. The lower portions of the corner posts 36 are horizontally flanged and drilled and rest respectively upon similarly flanged and drilled portions on the upper'ends of the supporting members 33 of the secondary frame 32. Th supportingrelationship between each upright member 33 and its respective corner post is completed by removable securing means, herein indicated as a bolt l I. As will. hereinafter.

As best a longitudinally running slot 43.

4 be more clearly brought out, this arrangement provides for the removal of the unit 35 from the rest of the machine. This removal is accomplished simply by removal of the securing bolts 4 l. The lower supporting plate 48 of the unit 35 is provided at each of its longitudinal edges with a vertically disposed flange 42 in which is formed A pair of parallel, longitudinally running supporting members,

preferably in the form of angle bars 44, is slidably supported for longitudinal movement on the lower supporting plate 48.

Securing means 45 in the form of bolts and wing nuts serve to connect the longitudinal bars 44 to the longitudinal flange members 42 for longitudinal adjustment of the former with respect to the latter, the bolts of the securing means passing through the members 44 and through the slots in the complementary flanged members 42. The outer ends of the longitudinal members 44 are cross-connected by a transverse support 48, herein indicated as an angle bar, which carries a pair of transversely spaced, upright angle bars 41, each of which is provided at its upper end witha transverse opening slidably receiving a transversely movable slide member or bar 48. This bar carries intermediate its ends a pair of vertically extending guide members 49, each of which is adjustably secured to the slide bar 48 by means of cap screws 58 (Fig. 5). One of the members 49 has at its upper end a transverse pin 5| which passes through a complementary opening at the upper end of the other member (Figs. 4 and5). The lower end of one member includes a depending, transversely drilled lug 52 through which passes a transverse rod 53 supported at its opposite ends in the upright members 41. The rod 53 carries at each side of the depending lug 52 on the member 49 a pair of adjustable collars 54, which may be adjusted transversely on the rod 53 to vary the extent to which the slide bar 48 may be reciprocated in the members 41. One end of the slide bar .48 is provided with suitable means in the form of a handle 55 so that the slide bar and guide means 49 may be manually reciprocated.

As best shown in Fig. 1, the end of the base frame 20 adjacent the level-winding mechanism just described is provided with a pair of transversely spaced, vertically extending supporting posts 69, the upper end of each of which is provided with a suitable bearing 6| in which is journaled a transverse reel shaft 62. This shaft extends in proximity to the level-winding mechanism 4'!-55 and parallels the path of reciprocationof the slide bar 48. As will be more fully described below, the shaft 52 may carry any one of several types of reels on which wire or the like may be wound.

Referring now to Figs. 1 and 4, it will be seen that the shaft 52 carries thereon for rotation therewith a reel-driving chuck indicated generally by the numeral 65. This chuck includes a driving pulley 66 and a chuck body or hub 61. The outboard end of the shaft carries compression means in the form of a spring 68 and washer 69 between which and the chuckbody 61 a small reel 10 may be carried and driven by the chuck 85. The lower portions of the supporting posts carrya pair of transversely aligned supporting pins H (Fig. 10) which carry a supporting plate 72 for swinging movement on a transverse axis. This plate serves to carry drive means for the reel-driving mechanism. In the present instance the drive means is indicated as being an air motor '13 having Ladriving pulley 1 4. ,A flexible driving belt is trained about the pulley 14 on the motor I3 and about the pulley 66 on the chuck 65. The supporting posts 69 are provided with a second pair of supporting pins 16 spaced above the supporting pins TI and adapted for the supporting of the plate 12 in a higher position in the event that the reel shaft 62 is fitted with a larger pulley in place of the smaller pulley 66 on the chuck 65. Such substitution is indicated in Figs. 2 and 3, there being indicated a pulley 11 of substantially increased diameter. The relationship between the two mountings of the motor 13 on the pivot or supporting pins H and I6 is such that the same belt I5 may be used whether the reel shaft 62 carries the small pulley 66 or the large pulley 11; in the use of the small pulley, the motor will be supported by the lower pins II and, in the use of the large pulley, the motor will be supported by the upper pins I6.

The motor 13 may be suitably powered by air pressure directed through a conduit I8 supported by the frame 29 and connected to a control valve 19 that is carried by the transverse frame members 3| on the frame 29. A suitable conduit 89 is connected between the control valve I9 and the motor 13. It will be understood, of course, that any suitable motor or other driving means may be substituted for that indicated herein.

As stated above, it is an important object of the present invention to provide reel-driving means including a driving chuck that is adapted to drive reels of different types. The chuck 65, as best shown in Fig. 11 and as previously described in connection with the driving of the reel 19, is formed with an axial bore 85 coaxial with a slightly larger bore 86. The drive pulley 66 is formed with an axial bore 81 coaxial with the bores 85 and 86. The chuck 65 is thus adapted for mounting on the reel shaft 62. The chuck body 61 is provided with means for driving either a wooden reel or a metal reel. For this purpose the axial bore 85 receives axially slidably therein a first reel-engaging member 98 preferably formed from tubular stock and having at its inner end an annular flange 89 abutting the shoulder formed by the reduction in diameter between the coaxial bores 86 and 85. The outer end of the member 88 is provided with a plurality of teeth 99 adapted to engage the central end portion of a wooden reel. Yieldable means in the form of a compression spring 9| is disposed in the axial bore 86 between the annular flange 89 on the member 88 and the radial portion of the pulley 66 that surrounds the bore 81. This means serves to urge the reel-engaging member 88 axially outwardly. As best shown in Fig. 13, the wooden reel 19 is supported on the shaft 62 and engaged between the reel-engaging member 88 and the compression means 6869. As shown in Fig. 12, the member 88 is formed with a slot 92 running longitudinally thereof and cooperating with a driving pin 93 carried by the chuck body 61.

Fig. 12 indicates the use of a different type of reel, for example a metal reel, designated generally at 95 and having a radial flange 96 provided with a plurality of openings or bores 91. For the purpose of driving a reel of this type the chuck 65 has formed in the body thereof a plurality of bores 98 spaced radially from and paralleling the axis of the bore 85. Each bore 98 is reduced at its outer'end so that the chuck 61 is provided with a shoulder portion against which abuts a driving member 99 having a reduced end portion I09 which extends outside the chuck body 61 and into engagement with the flange 96 on the'reel 95, the driving portions I99 entering the openings 91 in the reel flange. A plurality of yieldable means I9I preferably in the form of compression springs are arranged respectively in the bores 98 and serve to urge the members 99 into reel-engaging positions. Each bore 98 is preferably threaded at its other end and receives a threaded plug I92 which retains the spring II. It will be understood that the plugs I92 may be omitted and the springs I9I be permitted to abut directly against the radial face of the driving pulley 69 if desired. However the use of the plugs I92 facilitates assembly and disassembly of the chuck 65 and for this purpose have been indicated as a preferred construction.

From a comparison of Figs. 12 and 13, it will be noted that when the wooden reel I9 is mounted on the shaft 62, the flanged portion thereof serves to effect retraction of the driving members 99, while the driving teeth 99 on the driving member 98 establish driving relationship between the chuck 65 and the reel. When the metal reel is used, the driving members 99 extend into driving engagement with the flange 96 of the reel, and the central driving member 88 is retracted against compression of the spring 9|. It will be understood, of course, that in the event that the shaft 62 carries a wooden reel having driving openings corresponding to the openings 91 in the reel 95, both driving elements 88 and 99 would be used. Ordinarily, however, only reels of the metal type are provided with openings corresponding to the openings 91 in the reel 95.

It is an object of the present invention to provide novel means for measuring the wire that is transferred from the source spool or coil under top plate 28 to any of the different types of reels that may be carried on the reel shaft 62. A preferred form of this mechanism is illustrated in Figs. 6 and '7 as having a base portion I95 and a pair of upright, parallel supporting members I96. The measuring mechanism forms a compact unit that is removably mounted on the lower supporting plate 49 of the unit 35 in a position intermediate the loosely coiled wire under the top plate 28 and the reel shaft 62, so that wire unwound from the coil and wound on a reel on the shaft 62 passes through the measuring mechanism and is measured thereby. The supports I96 journal a transverse shaft I91 to which is keyed arotatable element in the form of a wheel I98 having its outer periphery serrated. The shaft I91 extends transversely and carries at its outer end a disk I99 to which is pivotally connected one end of a crank arm H9. The other end of the crank is connected in any suitable manner to counting mechanism indicated generally at HI. The counting mechanism per se forms no part of the present invention and has therefore not been illustrated in detail. The connection between the driving disk I99 and the counting mechanism is such that the wire or other mate rial is measured in inches, although any other system of measurement may be used. Each of the members I96 is provided with a vertical slot II2. These slots are aligned and a transverse shaft H3 passes therethrough and carries a second rotatable element or wheel II4 having its peripheral portion in close proximity to the serrated periphery of the wheel I98. The upper ends of the members I96 carry a support H5 having a transverse portion provided with a pair of vertically drilled ears H6 and a pair of vertically slottedupright members. Ill. -A short transverse shaft I I8 passesthrough the slotted portions I I1 and through a central controlmember H9 having an operating handle I29. The control member I I is in the form'of a cam member having a curved configuration adapted to engage the intermediate fiat horizontal upper portion'ofthe support H5. The-short transverse shaft or pin H8 is eccentrically disposed with relation. to the center of the arc forming the cam surface on the control member He so that, as thecontrol member is rotated by the handle 520, the shaft or pin I I8 moves vertically inthe slotted portions H7 or the member H5. Each end of the shaft or pin IISv carries-the upper end of a downwardly extending eyebolt I2 I, the lower. end of which is anchored in a collar I22 carried on the transverse shaft H3 outside the respective supporting member Its. Vertical movement of the pin H8 as effected by the control member H9 thus transmitted to the shaft H3 so that the wheel .II I may be moved away from and returned toward the-serratedwheel I68, thus permitting separation of the wheels so that wire or othermaterial may be passed therebetween.

Each of the opposite ends of the shaft H3 is fitted with a block I23 embraced by a vertically slotted adjusting member I2 l. Each support I00 has secured thereto. a bracket I25, and a pair of tension springs I26 is connected between the adjusting members I24 and the bracket I25. The arrangement on opposite sides of the structure formed by the supports I is preferably identical. The upper end of each adjusting member I24 is threaded and receives an adjusting. screw I2I engageable with the block I23 on the shaft H3. The springs thus tend to urge the shaft H3 and wheel H4 toward the wheel I08. However, this movement of the wheel I I4 is limited by engagement between the control member H9 and the upper intermediate surface of the member H5. Thus, the relative positions of the wheels I08 and H4 are not disturbed by adjustment of the adjusting screws I21. In other words, tension of the springs I26 may be efiected without disturbing the relationship between the wheels I08 and H4. Likewise the control member H9 may be rotated to separate the wheels and to; return the wheels without affecting the operating tension on the springs I26. The upper plate 38 of the upper frame unit 35 is provided with a rectangular opening I29 through which the upright supports I06 extend when the base I05 is mounted on the lower plate 40 of the framev unit 35.

Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate the details .of' a preferred form of means for regulating the speed at which wire or the like is unwound from the loose coil under top plate 28 when transferred to a reel carried' on the reel shaft 62. The two end uprights 33 of the secondary frame 32 adjacent the coil serve to mount a transverse support I30 which carries a guide member IBI having an opening through which the wire is passed from the coil. The upper surface of the transverse supporting plate 2I rigidly carries a bracket I32 provided with a transverse pin I33 on which is pivotally mounted a longitudinally extending control bar or arm I34. The end of the arm adjacent the coil is curved upwardly and is'fitted with a brake shoe I35 adapted to engage the under radial surface of the spool-supporting member 25. The arm I34 extends longitudinally of the frame and is provided at its end with a pivotally mounted yoke. I carrying a sheave orpulley I31 about which. the wire is trained after passing through the guide memberI3I. Theguide memberpreferably extends belowzthertransverse; support I30 and includes means such as an abutment I38 which servesas stop means to limit upward swinging'of the; arm I34. The upper unit 35 is provided withapair of vertically extending angle members Hill-between whichis pivotally carried alsheave. or: pulley I40. The wire from the coil is passed through the guide I3 I around the pulley I33, upwardly and over the pulley M0 and between the wheels I08 and. II of the measuring mechanism. The wire thence passes through the guide member Mi carried by the upper plate38 of the upper unit 35. From this point the wire passesbetween the guide members 49 of. the levelwin-ding mechanism and thence to a reel on the reel. shaft 62. Sincethe arm I34 is pivotally carried onvt'he bracket I32 it may move vertically in responseto variations in tension on the wire between. the coil and the reel shaft 62 so that the brake shoe I35 is moved into and out of engagement with the spool-supporting member 25.

A lower transverse frame element I42, supported by the longitudinal side members of. the base frame 2t, includes a bearing bracket I02a on which is-pivotally mounted one end of a transversely extending control member, herein shown as: a foot pedal Hi3. A pair of guides I44 serves to guide vertical movement of the pedal I43 and a link I05 connects the pedal to the arm I34.

As best shown in Figs. 2 and 3 the reel shaft 62 includes a chuck having the pulley'I'I, previously described. The chuck in this case is particularly adapted-for the driving of relatively large reels such as that indicatedat I45 and for thispurpose the pulley It includes a driving pin Ml adapted to engage a radially extending member on the reel Hi6. As previously indicated, the machinedisclosed herein is adaptable to the winding of various types and sizes of flexible material on various types and sizes of reels and accordingly the design and arrangement. of the driving mechanism have included a wide range of. interchangeability of chucks.

Another feature of. the adaptability of the machine and its component parts to various uses is indicated in Fig. 14, wherein it is shown that the upper unit 35has been removed from the base frame 20 andv secondary frame 32 and is separately supported on a supporting table such as that. indicated at I50. As willbe noted, the entire unit 35, together with the measuring mechanism and level-winding unit, is adapted for use in. the winding of heavyrope or cable on a large reel I51, which is mounted on a shaft I52 carried in suitable bearings on the table I 50. A crank I53. is rotatably carried on the table and is engageable with the shaft I52 to driven the same for rotating the reel I5I.

In the following description of the use and operation of the machine herein illustrated and described, theme-chine will be spoken of in' connection with its use in the winding ofwire. However, it will be understood that the machine may be similarly used in the handling of like material such as cable, rope, conduit, etc. It often occurs that wire and similar material is furnished on large spools as well as in loosely coiled form. Therefore, reference to the machine and its use in connection with the winding of wire is to be taken as illustrative and not limiting.

As previously stated, the coil of wire is mounted on the, coil-carrying member 25 and the free end ofthe wire is passed through the guide member I3I and under the sheave I31, whence it passes upwardlyand over the sheave I40 andthrough the measuring mechanism. 'The control member H9 on the measuring mechanism is rotated to separate the wheels I08 and H4 so that the wire may be passed therebetween. The control member H9 is then rotated reversely to restore the wheels to position to engage the wire, the serrations on the wheel I08 serving as means whereby linear movement of the .wire through the measuring mechanism rotates thewheel I08 to drive the disk I09 and hence the counting mechanism III. The wire is then passed through the guide I4I, thence through the guide members 49 of the level-winding mechanism, and is then connected, to the reel, such as the reel I0, 95, or I46, on the reel shaft 62. between the guide MI and the level-winding mechanism is selected as an index point and the counting mechanism is preferably set at zero. The motor 13 is operated to drive the chuck and reel and operation of the machine is continued until the desired quantity of wire is wound on the reel. The index point on the wire previously referred to will again be used in determining at what point the wire is to be out after the desired quantity is wound on the reel.

In the event that a metal reel (such as that indicated at 95 in Fig. 12) is used, it is unnecessary to change the chuck 65, for, as previously set forth, the chuck 65 is adapted to drive either type of reel. In the event that it is desired to use a larger reel, such as the reel I46, it is necessary only to substitute the driving pulley I1 for the chuck and pulley 66 and further to shift the position of the motor 13 from the supporting pins II to the upper supporting pins 16, in which case the same driving belt I may be used.

As the machine is operated, tension on the wire between the coil and a reel on the reel shaft 62 will vary, principally because of the lack of uniformity in the winding of the wire on the coil. Ordinarily, this variation in tension would result in the occurrence of slack at different points in the wire between the spool and reel. However, in the present instance, the speed-regulating means serves to retard the speed of rotation of the coil so that this undesirable slack does not occur. The inherent weight of the arm I34, accentuated by the weight of the foot pedal I43 and connecting link I45, serves to pivot the arm I34 so that the brake shoe I35 engages the under surface of the spool-carrying member 25, which action normally brakes the speed of rotation to an extent sufficient to prevent surging. It is likewise undesirable for too much tension to be placed on the wire between the coil and reel. In the present instance, this undesirable characteristic is eliminated by means of the action of the braking means as effected by increased tension on the wire. Such increase in tension serves to swing the arm I34 upwardly so that the braking action of the shoe I 35 is relieved. Undesirable tension is further eliminated because there is no positive driving connection between the spoolcarrying member 25 and the coil so that some slippage can occur between these two elements. Unexpected or temporary slackness in the wire may be relieved by means of the operator through use of the foot pedal I43, which action positively brakes the spool-carrying member 25, and the frictional engagement between that member and the coil will serve to retard rotation of the coil so that the slack is shortly picked up by continued rotation of the reel.

In the use of the machine with the large type reel I46 the longitudinal adjustability of the level- A. particular point on the wire winding mechanism provides for positioning of the mechanism in the desired location (Fig. 10) Likewise the adjustability between the members 49 of the level-winding mechanism permits variation in the'spacing thereof to accommodate different sized wire (Figs. 4 and 5).

.In the use of the unit 35 as illustrated in Fig. 14, the operation of the component parts thereof will be the same as previously described. Howi ever, in this instance, particularly in the winding of rope or cable, it may not be necessary to use the coil-supporting unit. In any event the adaptability of the measuring mechanism and levelwinding mechanism is again illustrated, since both are adiustable to accommodate the increased thickness of the rope or cable that will be wound on the reel I5I. s

Another feature of the invention is the adaptability of the measuring mechanism for use independently of the machine for the measurin of material having relatively small cross sectional area, such as rods, conduits, bar stocks, etc. In other words the measuring mechanism is suitable for the measuring of any material having a size permitting passage of such material between the wheels I08 and I I4.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the objects hereinbefore enumerated are readily achieved in the preferred form of the invention herein disclosed. Objects of the invention other than those brought out in the foregoing description will undoubtedly occur to those skilled in the art, as will numerous modifications and alterations in structure and operation, all of which may be made without a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A length-measuring device comprising spaced standards having elongated openings therein, a first wheel and shaft journaled between said standards, a second wheel and shaft received in vertically elongated openings in said standards, resilient means biasing said second wheel into engagement with said first wheel, means for varying the pressure exerted by said resilient means, means for separating said wheels against the urging of said resilient means, and crank means on one of said shafts for communicating the number of revolutions thereof.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein said pressure varying means comprises a, housing with a vertically elongated slot receiving said second shaft, and screw means threaded through said housing and adapted to contact the shaft.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the separating means comprises a cam and shaft journaled in elongated slots atop said standards and connecting rods integrating said cam shaft and said second shaft.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein one of said wheels is serrated peripherally.

5. A length-measuring device for filamentary materials comprising two spaced standards having vertically disposed elongated slots therein, a first wheel and shaft journalled between said standards, a crank arm on said shaft, a second wheel and shaft received in the said vertically disposed elongated openings in said standards, two housings each having a vertically elongated opening receiving said second shaft externally of the standards, screw means threaded through the top of the housing to vary the position of saidseoon' d shaft in the openings in the housings, means to"'-"fix the position of the shaft in the housingysp-ring means urging gthe'shafttandhou'saing toward the -b0tt0m of ithe elongated openings in the standards, second elongated openingsl'in the standards aloove the. first, a-cam between the standards on a. camshaft'receivedinsaid second elongated openin'gsin the-standards, and rods connecting the camshaft with the shaft-of thesaid second wheel.

Y HAROLD E. SWARTOUT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file'of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS.

Number Name Date Briggs M21523, 1886' Number 

